Chapter 6: The Enchanted Gardens

After the meeting in the Solarium, Princess Caroline took time to step foot in the gardens as she took in the fresh air scented with roses, apricots, plums, and wild berries. She admired how the plants seemed to grow wild and free without restraint, yet the grounds were well-maintained. The colours of the flowers were of brilliant hues, flowers that she did not seem to recognize as they reached for the rays of sunlight. The long, luscious vines curled and wrapped themselves around the stone pillars of the pavilion, while the branches of the trees were heavy with ripe fruit, such as pears and apples. In contrast, the Winter Gardens were neatly trimmed and designed for symmetry and convenience rather than wonder and enjoyment. She wandered to the golden apple tree, and her fingers touched the tree bark. It pulsed beneath her touch as if it had a heartbeat. "Magic," she whispered. How was this possible and sustained with so little water available, she wondered. The Summer Court was known to weave its enchantments into the ear, but this was a marvel indeed. To thrive in such harsh weather conditions. "You are not supposed to be here, Your Highness." A voice softly and hesitantly. Princess Caroline turned to find a young maid kneeling near a bed of delicate white blossoms that shone silver under the sunlight. The girl looked like she was at the age of sixteen, and her blonde hair was pulled back into a simple braid; she had a large basket with her. "I was not told these gardens were forbidden." "They say the land does not welcome those from the Winter Court." "Yet, here I am." Princess Caroline mused aloud, taking in her surroundings once more. "Perhaps, the land does not know what to make of you yet." The maid smiled at her shyly. "What do you make of me?" "I do not know, Your Highness," she answered truthfully. "What is your name?" "Isla," Your Highness. "What are you doing?" The maid hesitated for a moment before pointing to the flowers and saying, Collecting star flowers for the healers, they say its petals soothe fevers and the nectar heals wounds. Princess Caroline knelt next to her, ignoring the way her eyes widened, touching the flowers, she whispered. "You are from the Winterland, aren't you? How did you get here?" "Please tell no one, Your Highness, if, oh, there will be repercussions for me." "Speak, I shall tell no one." Princess Caroline assured her. "My father was a healer back in the Winterlands, but we were captured by the Summerlanders easily because we lived near the borders of the Autumn, and too far to reach out for help. They raided his shop and his records of herbs and medicine. They discovered the star flower and its healing properties. My father was forced to treat their soldiers to see if the remedies worked. They said he died a few years ago. My older brother followed in his footsteps." "Please tell no one, Your Highness, for we belong to neither side now, especially during the war and after it, we have lived here peacefully since and have been rewarded for our labor, but it has all come at a cost, that is never seeing our homeland ever again." The young girl whispered sadly, tears falling from her eyes. "I understand your position. Thank you for sharing this with me." Princess Caroline got up to leave, realizing should anyone find them together, it would not be good for the girl. "Thank you, Your Highness." "For what?" Princess Caroline turned around, asking the girl, wondering what she meant. "For playing your part in stopping the war." Princess Caroline quickly turned back and, with swift steps, left the girl in the garden as she made her way to her private chambers, warning herself sternly not to let the tears that were already gathering spill from her eyes.